November 1993 The Journal of Number 28
THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CHECK COLLECTORS, INC.
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Number 28
THE CHECK COLLECTOR
November 1993
THE CHECK COLLECTOR
Editor Robert A. Spence
P.O. Box 69
Boynton Beach, FI, 33425
(407) 734-6227
Assistant Herman L. Boraker
I Editors: Martha M. Cox
Roland P. Burnham
The Check Collector is issued four times a year for members
of The American Society of ('heck Collectors, Inc. Subscrip¬
tion only by membership. Dues are $10.00 per year. Outside
I S A , Canada and Mexico, add $5.00 per year. Send address
changes to: The Secretary, ASCC, PO Box 577, Garrett Park,
MD, 20896 All rights reserved
To our members:
Write something for The Check Collector ! We need articles
about checks and check-related subjects. See the list of 32 ar¬
eas of collecting interest on the Secretary's Page for ideas.
We retype all material. Photos require an original or a good,
clear, black and while copy. Original checks sent in are cop¬
ied and returned carefully and promptly. Finished check pho¬
tos are 7" wide and or 2 1/2" high.
Small, interesting "filler" material and items of less than one
page are always welcome. Any questions, ask the Editor.
To our advertisers:
Deadline for advertising copy to run in the February 1994 is¬
sue of The Check Collector is February 5, 1993.
The Check Collector is an effective means to reach the check
collecting hobby and our membership of collectors and dealers
of checks and related financial documents It contains feature
articles about checks and check collecting and news about the
hobby.
Advertising orders must be paid in advance and shall be
restricted to checks and to check-related fiscal documents,
publications, accessories and supplies. The ASCC accepts
advertising in good faith, reserving the right to edit copy.
ASCC assumes no financial responsibility for typographical
errors in advertising. However, it will reprint that portion of
an advertisement in which the typographical error appeared
upon prompt notification of such error.
All copy for ads must be camera ready.
Advertising rates are as follows.
One quarter page $25.00/issue
Business card size $ 1 0.00/i ssue
VResiderrt^ lefte r
Wc are indeed living in a world of change and time
has not exempted the ASCC from the changes that it
has been inflicting upon us. Our organization has
known lower postage and printing costs to be sure.
Of recent date, our Treasurer, Mike Zier, has sent
on to the Editor his Treasurer's Report which ap¬
pears in this issue of The Check Collector. In turn,
and in advance of publication in TCC, the Editor
has forwarded a copy of the Treasurer's Report
along with some comments on "The State of the So¬
ciety" to me.
It appears that our dues structure will soon have to
be changed. I am certain that everyone who is in¬
volved in the day to day operation of the Society is
mindful of the situation and that every effort has
been made to control our cost of doing business.
There arc some expenses that are incurred on behalf
of the Society that are absorbed by some of its offi¬
cers. I am certain that we will have to increase our
dues in the none too distant future if we are to con¬
tinue to exist We shall not treat this matter lightly
and every effort will be made to keep our dues as
low as possible. In fact, a very serious effort is
now underway to effect economies in several areas
of major expense to the Society.
As is well known to all of us. Bob Spence has been
the Editor of The Check Collector for about seven
years. He has done a great job and as the CEO of
the Society, I am not ready to give him his walking
papers. Further, we are most fortunate that Martha
Cox lends the helping hand that makes his task
somewhat lighter.
The burden of producing The Check Collector has
been upon the shoulders of a few for a long, long
time. Now is the time for all good men (and wom¬
en) to come to the aid of the Society. Bob Spence
feels that he is ready to retire and receive the pen¬
sion (the pension fund is empty!) that he is justly
entitled to receive. There is a very serious need for
help in producing our publication and I call upon
those of our membership who are w illing and able
to pitch in.
Don't just take your membership for granted! If
you have any comment which you should like to
make concerning the Society, I would be most hap¬
py to hear from you Please help by letting us hear
from you.
TUI. CHECK COLLECTOR is a quarterly publication of the ASCC.
Number 28
THE CHECK COLLECTOR
November 1993
President’s Column
Page 2
The Graphic Co. New York Imprint
Page 4
Steamboat Vignettes -Boatmen's Bank, St. Louis
Page 12
May I Borror Your Pen?
Page 15
Bank of Seward (Alaska)
Page 19
A Nice Conversation Piece
Page 21
How Could This Be?
Page 22
More About Shows
Page 23
Around Our Hobby
Page 24
Check Pool Update
Page 26
Secretary's Report
Page 27
Across Our Desk
Page 29
Founded [fl
[$]
t
□ in 1969.
THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CHECK COLLECTORS, INC.
A non-profit organization organized under Section 501-(c)-(3).
President:
Edward N. Lipson (1994)
Directors:
46 Appletree Lane
North Haven, CT 06473
H. L Boraker (1993)
Roland P Burnham (1994)
Vice President:
John J O'Harc (1993)
Martha M. Cox (1994)
197 Lancaster Avenue
Harry R Johnson, Sr (1994)
Buffalo, NY 14222
M. S Kazanjian (1993)
Lawrence Marsh (1994)
Secretary:
Coleman A. Liefer (1994)
Douglas McDonald (1994)
P.O. Box 577
Dick Naven (1994)
Garrett Park, MD 20896
Robert T. Page (1994)
James D Partin (1993)
Treasurer:
Michael A. Zier (1994)
Lee E. Poleske (1993)
4511 Romlon St , #101
Robert A. Spence (1994)
Beltsville, MD 20705
Honorary Vice President:
Departments:
Jeane Flaig
Check Collector:
Robert A. Spence
Check Pool:
Harry R Johnson, Sr
Check Survey:
Edward N. Lipson
Librarian:
Charles V. Kemp
Meetings:
Herman L. Borakcr
Membership:
Roland P. Burnham
Membership Directory: Coleman A Leilcr
Security Printers:
Michael A Zier
Slide Program:
Larry Adams
t
THE CHECK COl LECTOR is a quarterly publication of the ASCC
Number 28
THE CHECK COLLECTOR
November 1993
THE GRAPHIC CO. NEW YORK IMPRINT
by Edward N. Upson
The top of page 140 of Sterling's • Standard • Descriptive and Price Catalogue of the Revenue
Stamps of the United States Fifth ( 1888) Edition reads as follows:
1875-New York Series
(American Graphic Co.) New York
"H" Variety, 1. Head of Liberty at right in oval frame. Bank inscribed two cents at left and right;
above and below in circle (2). Diamond-shaped bank above inscribed United States; below.
Internal Revenue. Size 82 x 48 mm. Lozenge shape Colors-Orange and deep orange on white
and various fancy colored papers, with imprint of American Graphic Co. New York, below
words Internal Revenue on checks. Impressed on face of check, in centre.
The "H" Variety, 1, referred to above is that which E.B. Sterling assigns to this variety. This
variety is the same as that listed in the Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps as RN-
G3. The Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps states that the Graphic Co. printed
Revenue Stamped Paper in 1875. For the purposes of this article, it must be recognized that the
Sterling H Variety 1 and the Scott G3 are one and the same. The Scott Catalog listing of this item
reads as follows:
Imprint "Graphic Co., New York" at left and right in minute type"
This information can be misleading as only the words "Graphic Co ", are at the left and only the
words "New York" are on the right. The Scott Catalogue is absolutely right in using the words "in
minute type" in its description of this imprint This type is truly minute and it takes the trained eye
to recognize it on a check. Those who own a Castenholz Field Guide to Revenue Stamped Paper,
Part 6 - New York State would be well advised to look at page 81 of this guide. The illustration is
quite clear and is indicative of the care shown by the publishers of the Guide in its production
It cannot be overstated that this imprint on a check can be quite elusive because the size of the type
is truly minute. Even when one is aware that they are looking at a true example of a G3 w hich has
been previously identified, it takes a bit of concentration to recognize the imprint. However, once
this imprint is know n to the collector it will never be forgotten and the collector will recognize this
scarce imprint with ease.
The author of this article on the Graphic Co. is indeed fortunate to have in his possession an
unused check of the Bull's Head Bank which was prepared for use by the People's Savings Bank,
New York. It was previously owned by Amon Carter of Dallas, a distinguished collector of coins,
paper money and stamps. An illustration of this check is shown in figure 1. On the back of the
check is handwritten in purple ink:
12/8/75
1st of this new' type
by the Graphic Co.
The date shown on the back of this check serves to support the theory that the earliest Type G
checks were the G3's and that the Scott RN-Gl's were issued at a later date. Included in this
article is a partial list of RN G3's and their dates of usage. In addition to these used checks, a
group of unused G3's in this w riter's collection are also listed. A record exists of a Type G3 used
in December of 1875 Since the next usage known of a G3 is in February of 1876, this writer
feels that the possibility exists that one digit of the 1875 year date was written in error. All of the
RN Gl's known to this writer were used from March 1876 onwards.
TUI. CHECK COLLECTOR is a quarterly publication of the ASCC.
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Number 28
THE CHECK COLLECTOR
November 1993
Figure I. This RN G3, with the dated 12/8/75 notation on its hack, is most significant in that it
supports the belief that the RN G3 was- actually issued and in use before that which Scott lists as RN-
G1 . N.B. The person who made this notation was aware of the Graphic Co.'s existence and that the
Graphic Co. was authorized to print Revenue Stamped Paper.
- - ..
Figure 2. The back of the People's Savings Bank - Bull’s Head Bank check showing the notation as
to the date it was acquired. The handwritten date is of great significance to the serious collector of
Revenue Stamped Paper.
A photo copy enlarged by 50% of a Proof on Card of the RN G3 imprint is shown in Figure 3.
The photo copy has been enlarged in order to make recognition of the G3 Type easier for those
who are unfamiliar with it Some photo copies of interesting examples of RN G3 are also shown
and a comment about each appears with the document that is illustrated. Most of the RN G3's
known were used in New York and Pennsylvania. An RN G3 prepared for use in Colorado is of
interest to those who arc concerned with the geographical distribution of this RN Type. This G3
from Golden, Colorado is dated a mere three months after Colorado's status was changed from
that of a territory to that of a state.
THE CHECK COLLECTOR is a quarterly publication of the ASCC.
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Number 28
THE CHECK COLLECTOR
November 1993
Figure 3. A Card Proof of the Graphic Co. Type 3a enlarged by 50% in order to show detail of the
design. The words "Graphic Co." are below the word " Internal " in the design. The words "New
York” are below the word "Revenue".
It is reported among those who actively collect Revenue Stamped Paper that the Graphic Co. was
forced to remove the words "Graphic Co. New York" from the design of the RN imprint by the
government In 1X66, at which time the American Phototype Co. produced the Type A imprint in
black, they printed their name along side the imprinted stamp on a receipt form that was prepared
for Phelps, Dodge & Co., New York. It appears that this practice was short lived as only one
such usage is known to have taken place. This Phelps Dodge item was described in The American
Revenner by the lateJoseph Einstein to whose attention it was called by this writer. Apparently, Joe
felt that the subject was of sufficcnt importance to justify an article for the Revenner
THI. CHF.CK COLLECTOR is a quarterly publication of the ASCC
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Number 28
THE CHECK COLLECTOR
November 1993
Figure 4. Two checks of RN Type 3a signed by Bejnamin F. Butler, a well known General and
statesman of the Civil War period. The bottom check, payable to the Harlem Rail Road Co., is
endorsed by Cornelius Vanderbilt Jr. whose family controlled the Railroad.
- VJCGT.-fr - — - *■
i ' rr-* ' ’ •* —•
a . - . • - t .9 tfl •
L*v*3. - • • % j < - • ^
- -• -V— at^*« J ^
9- .. a*l3 *
r^sc.w-- v\
- -;r.-xrTr'N.r:- ~n ^ .£*>
: ^
• - - *?■ - - ■ «T-V — - _
- r - »•* -c • >fif»
Figure 5. The back of the check issued by B.F. Butler payable to the Harlem RailRoad Co. It bears
the handwritten endorsement of Cornelius Vanderbilt, Jr. The dark areas in the lower corners are
remnants of old stamp hinges.
THE CHECK CORRECTOR is a quarterly publication of the ASCC
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Number 2b
THE CHECK COLLECTOR
November 1993
Figure 6. The check at the top of the page. No. 37. is a G3; the bottom one. sans the Graphic Co.
imprint is a Gl and is shown so that the RN imprints can be compared.
Figure 7. This financial instrument prepared for E.&T. Fairbanks & Co. of St. Johns bury. VT is
designed for use as a Draft or a Bill of Exchange. If honored at sight, the imprinted 2<t stamp is all
that is needed If it is to be honored other than at sight, the same form could be used but additional
adhesive stamps as required by law would have to be applied.
Till-. C HECK COLLECTOR is a quarterly publication of the ASCC
S
Number 28
THE CHECK COLLECTOR
November 1993
The Castenhol? Guide lists only two Gl Type RN's for the whole Stale of West Virginia. This Type
G3 on the Morgantown Bank wav acquired many years ago and this writer has never seen another like
it. Does anyone know of another G-3 from West Virginia?
As in the case of the State of Michigan, there are no checks Type RN G3 from the Stale of Illinois
listed in Castenholz. Although it would be expecting a bit much for a Guide to list every check, the
fact that not one example of a G3 is listed for the States of Michigan and Illinois must serve as an
indication of the scarcity of the G3 in these two states. N.B. The written Bank name change.
A check, with the RN G3 imprint, prepared for use by J. J. White of Wall St. by Security Printer
Nathan Pane of Wall St., to be drawn on Marine National Bank located where else, but on Wall St.
Unlisted by Castenholz.
9
THE CHECK COEEECTOR is a quarterly publication of the ASCC.
Number 28
Date
1 . 02/03/76
2. 03/04/76
3 . 03/29/76
4 . 04/03/76
5. 04/13/76
6. 04/20/76
7. 04/26/76
8. 05/04/76
9. 05/13/76
10. 05/25/76
1 1 . 06/30/76
12. 07/31/76
13. 07/31/76
1 4. 07/05/76
1 5. 07/24/76
16. 08/31/76
17 11/01/76
18. 11/02/76
19. 11/03/76
20. 11/18/76
21 12/04/76
THE CHECK COLLECTOR
November 1993
Listing of Type G3 Checks in the Author's Collection
U serl Location
(Generic) Lcwisburg National Bank, Levvisburg, PA User: L.F. Albright.
(Generic) Union National Bank, Lewisburg, PA. User: L.F. Albright.
(Generic) H.D Me Culloch, Banker, Stevens Point, WI. User: A N Batt
& Co. This RN G-3 with its patriotic vignette and origin from a small mid-
Western town is unusual.
(Generic) Geo. O. Shattuck, The Atlantic National Bank, Boston, MA.
(Generic) The Morgantown Bank, Morgantown, WV.
(Generic) Port Huron Savings Bank, Port Huron, MI. User: NGB Mills.
(Generic) Geo. O. Shattuck, The Atlantic National Bank, Boston, MA.
(Generic) Port Huron Savings Bank, Port Huron, MI User: NGB Mills.
(Generic) First National Bank of Danville, Danville, IL User: E.S.
Gregory. Bank Name changed by pen to Danville Banking and Trust
Company.
Marine National Bank. User: Josiah J White, Marine National Bank, NY.
(Generic) I C. Victor, New York, The German American Bank (green ink
on lavender). Security Printer, Croker & Telfer, Stationers, 96 Warren St.,
NY.
Same as 06/30/76 check, l.C. Vietor.
Same as 06/30/76 check, l.C. Vietor.
(Gcncric)Scventh Ward, National Bank, New York. User: Brennan & Quinn.
(Gcncric)Seventh Ward, National Bank, New York. User: Brennan & Quinn.
(Generic) l.C. Vietor, New York, The Gentian American Bank (green ink on
lavender). Detail as in check #10. Same Security Pnnter.
Merchants National Bank, New York. User: B.V. Butler.
As above.
As above.
(Generic) Bank of Rome, Rome, NY. User: ?.
Office of F E. Everett, Banker, Golden, CO. Unusual use in Colorado
during very early slatchcxxl
////. CHECK COLLECTOR is ;i quarterly publication of the ASCC
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THE CHECK COLLECTOR
November 1993
Number 28
22. 12/14/77
23. 0^01/77
24. 07 mm
25. 07/24/78
26. 02/06/78
27. 10/08/78
28. 11/09/78
29. 11/19/78
30. 12/30/79
31. Unused
32. Unused (X2)
33. Unused
34. Unused
35. Unused
(Generic) Bank of Rome, Rome, NY. Check purple handstamp change of
bank name to Central National Bank, Rome, NY.
Marine National Bank. User: Josiah J. White, Marine National Bank, NY.
(Generic) Fallkill National Bank, Poughkeepsie, NY.
(Generic) Peoples Bank of Wilkes Barre, PA. User: Frederic B. Griffith
(Generic) Peoples National Bank. User: J.G. Taylor & Co., Brattleboro, VT.
(Generic) First National Bank of Rock Island with a name change by
pen to Mitchell & Lynde. User: Wm. O. Neya.
(Generic) Lycoming National Bank, PA. Changed by pen to First National
Bank.
(Generic) Heather, Williamsport, PA. Lycoming National Bank pen change
to First Nation(al).
(Generic) The Pittsfield National Bank, Pittsfield, MA. User: Henry W Taft.
(Generic) Peoples Bank of Wilkes Barre, PA.
(Generic) Port Jervis, NY, First National Bank of Port Jervis.
E.S.T. Fairbanks & Co., St. Johnsbury, VT., draft or bill of exchange form
on Fairbanks, Brown & Co. Boston, MA. See notes.
(Generic) New York. Black ink on lavender. The German American Bank
Security Printer, Croker & Telfer, 36 (96?) Warren St., NY.
People's Savings Bank, New York. A cashier's check of sorts. For use
only by the People's Savings Bank to draw on funds on deposit at Bull's
Head Bank. This check appears to require two signatures: that of the
president & secretary. N.B. On verso in purple ink is written "12/8/75 1st of
the new type by the Graphic Co."
1 1
THE CHECK COLLECTOR is a quarterly publication of the ASCC.
Number 28
THE CHECK COLLECTOR
November 1993
VARIETIES OF A STEAMBOAT VIGNETTE ON CHECKS
OF THE BOATMEN'S BANK, ST. LOUIS.
bv Paul J. Calhouii
> - - - - - - /
These large, attractive checks were available years ago in quantity and almost every ASCC
member, w ith an interest in the subject matter of the vignette, has at least one example.
It was only recently after close examination, I realized that at least three varieties exist of the
vignette. Two of them depict the steamboat "City of St. Louis", a vessel still active when the
checks were first issued The third variety of a totally different style, was printed by a new' printer
after October 29, 1903, following the burning of the steamboat "City of St. Louis".
The steamboat "City of St. Louis" was one of the last of the big wooden hulled, sidewheel
packets. It was built in 1883 at Jeffersonville, Indiana, by Howard The dimensions were:
Length = 3001; beam = 49’; draft = 8.6’. Engines were 26 1/2" bore with stroke of 10'. There
were five boilers, each 44" x 30', and there were four flues. Paddle whels were 34 1/2' diameter
with 15' buckets.
Owned by the Anchor Line, Capt James O'Neal was Master and in 1894, his pilots were Joe
Bryan and Charlie O'Neil. In March, 1898, the vessel was bought at a U S. Marshal's sale at St.
Louis by Capt W H Thorgcwan for his bid of $19,050. He became his own Master w ith C M.
Begley as clerk, but briefly In 1899, she was sold by the Columbia Excursion Co to James M.
Grasty. By 1901, she was running harbor excursions at New Orleans and President McKinley
rode in her that May; he was assassinated before the year was out. Grasty sold her to the Greater
New York Home Oil Co. in 1903, but the sale was voided by the U S. Marshal and she was sold
to Attorney T. Marshall for $3,125. I,aid up at Carondelet, Missouri, she burned there on October 1903.
The paper stock on which all of the checks are printed was apparently from the same supplier, even
though the checks themselves were printed by two differently named lithographers and perhaps a
third (un-named on one of the checks). There arc also three vignettes, totally differing in details,
which at first glance appear to be the same.
The paper is basically white with a network of fine, vertical, pink, parallel lines closely spaced
only on the face of the check. This gives the face of the check, at first glance, a pink appearance.
The back of the check remains white.
I HI. CHECK COLLECTOR is ;i quarterly publication of the ASCC.
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Number 28
THE CHECK COLLECTOR
November 1993
Check No. 1
Check No. 3
Check No. 4
Check No. 1, the earliest I have, does not indicate the name of the printer. It is dated January 20,
1894. Vertically, at the left end of the face of the check is a vignette of (he steamboat "City of St
Louis" passing by the city for which it is named. The Eads Bridge which spans the Mississippi
River there is shown in the background The vignette is a clear, crisp, detailed lithography, darkly
printed with good shading and contrast. Note the design between the twin smokestacks of the
steamboat as is indicated by the arrow on the enlarged vignette of Check No. 1 above.
13
THE CHECK COLLECTOR is a quarterly publication of the ASCC.
Number 28
THE CHECK COLLECTOR
November 1993
Check No. 2 is dated January 11, 1898. It is almost identical to Check No. 1, but wiht the
following exceptions:
1 The printer's name "Buxton & Skinner. Lith St Louis" appears at the bottom left of the
check, slightly to the right of the vignette.
2. The pink vertical lines on the face of the check arc more widely spaced than those on Check
No. 1 .
3. The vignette of the "City of St Louis" is much lighter and with less detail The angle of
the steamboat is slightly different, as is its slightly smaller si/e. The main difference is in
the design between the twin smokestacks as indicated by the arrow on the enlarged vignette
of Check No. 2 above.
Check No. 3 is similar to Check No. 2, also printed by Buxton & Skinner, but with the following
variations:
1 The vignette, similar to the one on Check No. 2, has been greatly improved as to detail,
shading and clarity.
2. The name of the printer at lower left is in smaller, but clearer, letters: "Buxton & Skinner,
Lith. St Louis." This check was clearly printed at the end of 1898 or in early 1899. The
check is dated February 24, 1900. The 189 _ on the check form was crossed out and
"1900" inserted.
Check No. 4, dated May 10, 1904, appears on surface similar to Check Nos. 1 through 3, but is
totally different in the following particulars:
1 A new printer's name, "Stephens Litho. & Eng. Co. St. Louis" appears at bottom left.
2. The dateline is simply "St. Louis _ " without a year date and unlike the first three
checks which add "189 _ " to the dateline.
3 . The steamboat in the vignette is no longer the "City of St. Louis" but a "generic" steamboat
with no name indicated. It is also of a different design. In place of the name of the
steamboat is simply "Anchor Line". The star pennant on the bow staff of the steamboat in
the first three checks has been replaced by the American Hag, and the design between the
tw in smokestacks (now thicker and banded with iron hoops) is as indicated by the arrow
on the enlarged vignette of Check No. 4 above.
This check form must have been printed very' shortly after the burning on October 29, 1903, of the
"City of St. Louis", thus the change in the vignette.
The writer sincerely welcomes any information from ASCC members concerning new discoveries
about these checks.
Till. CHECK COLLECTOR is a quarterly publication of the ASCC.
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Number 28
THE CHECK COLLECTOR
November 1993
MAY I BORROW YOUR PEN?
by Robert A. Spence
Most collectors remember their surprise when they acquired their first manuscript-all in
handwriting-check or check-related document. No printed form, no vignette, no colored inks nor
ornate lettering. Just a clearly drawn, complete, concisely worded item written on what appeared
to be a scrap piece of paper.
A comparison between some manuscript checks, drafts, notes or receipts, especially those of the
early nineteenth century, provides a window on the history and conditions then existing. In those
times, before a generally established use of printed financial forms, typewriters, copiers, fast
communications and a bank in every' section of a community, people had to rely upon their own
resources and materials at hand.
When a business or financial agreement was reached, it was indicated by an appropriate
instrument, such as a check, draft, promissory note or receipt being drawn. While printed forms
THE CHECK COI LECTOR is a quarterly publication of the ASCC
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Number 28
THE CHECK COLLECTOR
November 1993
were available, especially in the larger financial centers which had banking offices, iheir use was
not mandated Pen and ink and a suitable piece of paper was all that was needed Good
penmanship was more evident then than now.
Manuscript cheeks, drafts, notes and receipts arc still available at reasonable prices to the patiently
seeking collector. They arc always an interesting conversation piece in any collection and a
welcome comparison with the ornate, printed and picturesque checks of later times.
One of my favorite manuscript checks is shown in Figure 1. It is drawn on the Office of the Bank
of the United States at Hartford, CT, in 1835 for $500, a significant sum in those days. An
unusual feature is a diagonal line drawn across the face of the check and above which is written
"Gtxid for Five Hundred Dollars", while under the line is the signature "J P Burnham, Cashier"
Isn't this check an early version of a Certified Check?
The back of the check is almost filled with six endorsements. Note that Mr. Thomas N Welles
signed twice to correct the misspelling of his name and that the endorsements of some cashiers of
some city banks had begun to use a rubber stamp for the instruction line of their endorsements.
Figure 2
THE CHECK COLLECTOR is a quarterly publication of the ASCC.
Number 28
THE CHECK COLLECTOR
November 1993
An 1809 Philadelphia promissory note for $800 is shown in Figure 3. Note that at this time, the
Genev a cross type of cut cancellation was used on the note to indicate that it had been paid
Anothcr’promissory note, this one for $1000 from Troy, NY, in 1825, is shown in Figure 4
Note that the place of repayment is specified at the Farmers Bank. An endorsement on the back
indicates that this note has been paid.
F igure 4
A rather unusual demand note of 1825 for $50 is shown in Figure 5. Note that the maker of the
note "made his mark" No witness is given, although the word "Witness" is indicated. A friendly
l.O. U.?
Figure 6 showns an 1864 receipt from Boston, MA, made on board the Schooner Hiram An R-6
adhesive revenue stamp is affixed during this Civil War time.
Figure 5
Figure 6
THE CHECK COLLECTOR is a quarterly publication of the ASCC
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Number 28
THE CHECK COLLECTOR
November 1993
An 1 82*9 promissory note from Bridgewater, MA, lor $1782 is shown in Figure 7 Note that
payment is speeified to be made "at cither Bank in Boston" An endorsement of Cushing & Ames
oil the back ol this note indicates it has been paid
Figure 7
A simple, concise promissory note is shown in Figure 8. This note of 1839 for $5000 was made
by Abraham Bell & Co., a name familiar to many check collectors. Note that interest is stated "at
seven per cent per annum". In a manner in use at that time, the signature of Abraham Bell & Co. is
obliterated to indicate that the note has been paid.
Figure H
Some collectors consider old manuscript checks and like items as "ugly ducklings" - just ordinary
looking, dull, no vignettes nor ornate letters, etc. At the times and under the circumstances these
checks and other items were written, this was all that probably was available.
However, as show n in the checks, notes and receipts above, they have all of the essential features
of these types of drx'umcnts used today These arc how they all started.
TUI: CHECK COLLECTOR is a quarterly publication of the ASCC.
18
Number 28
THE CHECK COLLECTOR
November 1993
r
BANK OF SEWARD
>
by l^e Poleske
_ *
l $3^1 Mu .2LZ
eIta^lisI?d oefs * *
jtg hi life urher uft * **•*.•• •
"i?
O/rO
• •
• •
• •
• • •
-i • •
-A-» •
• •
• • • •
• • • • •
59-13
0 0
• •
Bullars
-$t DEPOSIT BOXES??
The bank building shown on the 1940 Bank of Seward check illustrated above served Seward for
sixty-nine years.
S< ward, Alaska was founded in August 1903 by the Alaska Central Railway Company to sene ; s
tin ocean terminus for its proposed railroad to the interior.
In January 1904, C. E. Dickerman, a St. Paul, Minnesota capitalist and F G. Hale, a Spokane,
Washington banker, organized the Bank of Seward F. G. Hale moved to Seward to sen e as the
first president of the bank The Bank of Seward opened its doors for business on February 6,
1905, with a capital of $50,000. It was located in a wooden building on 4th Avenue, the main
street of the new town.
In May 1906, the owners started the paperw ork to make the bank a national bank, with the name,
First National Bank of Seward, but for some unknown reason, they decided not to pursue the
matter and the Bank of Seward remained a territorial bank
Construction on a new fireproof building started in 1905. It was built by the Seward Construction
and Development Corporation and was constructed of reinforced concrete and pressed concrete
building blocks. J. W. Spencer was contracted to install the steam heating plant and plumbing.
The opening, scheduled for September 1906, had to be postponed because the steam heating plant
being shipped to Seward on the steamship Oregon was lost when the Oregon struck a reef three
miles off Hinchinbrook Island, broke up and sank. A new plant arrived on October 27 and the
bank opened for business on Monday, November 5, 1906. The total cost for the new building
was $18,000. It was located at the comer of 4th and Adams Street. From the building you could
look down 4th Avenue, where all the main businesses were located, all the way to the railroad
dock The basic structure of the bank building was never changed. The way it looks on the check
above, is the way it looked in 1906 when it was new and in 1975 when it was torn down
The new building measured 25 by 60 feet; it had two stones and a basement, the second story was
used for offices and later apartments. The basement was for many years, the location of the
town's library and after that the local Christian Science meeting room
THE CHECK COLLECTOR is a quarterly publication of Ihc ASCC.
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Number 28
THE CHECK COLLECTOR
November 1993
In a story on the new bank building, the local newspaper. The Seward Gateway said, "the fixtures
arc ver> expensive and they arc as handsome as can be found in any city. The railings are of oak,
with mottled marble tablets in the teller's windows and on the mantels. Each floor has a modern
lavatory and washbowls arc in the office rooms upstairs. Hot and cold running water will be
supplied to the entire building... | which] will be lighted by electricity."
The Bank of Seward's first competition came when the Brown and Hawkins Company, which
sold hardware, clothes and coal, opened a banking department on September 26, 1908.
In 1908 the Alaska Central Railway went bankrupt. It was reorganized as the Alaska Northern
Railway in 1910 and railroad construction resumed, but came to a complete halt in 1910 when the
Northern also ran out of money. The future of the tow n and the bank looked bleak, but it soon
became known that the United States government was interested in building a railroad from
tidewater to Fairbanks to "open up" the territory to development. Several routes were being
considered, but Seward hoped the government w'ould buy out the Alaska Northern, finish it and
make Seward the port and headquarters of the new railroad.
In March 1912 Brown and Hawkins and Sidney Andersen bought the Bank of Seward and closed
the banking department in the Brown and Haw kins store.
The Harnman Bank of New York established a bank in Seward in 1915, the Harriman National
Bank of Alaska at Seward. The Harriman believed Seward would be the port for the new
government railroad and that the construction of the railroad would make Seward a boom town
In April 1915, President Wilson announced that the government would build a railroad from
Seward to Fairbanks. The construction of the Alaska Railroad started that same year and was
completed in 1923.
The building of the Alaska Railroad did not bring the boom everyone had hoped for and the
headquarters of the railroad was established in the new town of Anchorage, not in Seward. In
1921 the Harriman Bank liquidated its Seward bank due "to lack of business" and sold the assets
to the Bank of Seward.
From the discovery of gold on the Iditarod in 1908 until the late 1920's several tons of gold were
brought south to Seward over the Iditarod Trail during the winter. The Seward Bank was the
temporary depository of this gold until it could be shipped outside. In 1915 a record shipment of
one and a half tons of gold came over the Iditarod trail to Seward on four sleds pulled by 56 dogs.
A most unusual gold shipment was reported in the March 6, 1909 issue of The Seward Gateway ,
"The region about Knik has long been noted for rich gold discoveries. No proof more peculiar of
the richness of the country has yet been produced than that w hich was furnished by a little incident
that occurred at the Bank Seward yesterday. It seems that not long ago a bear was killed near Knik
and a part of the bear's internal organs was sent to the Bank of Seward for inspection, the
inspection was duly and carefully made in the presence of three witnesses and. ..within the part of
his internal anatomy sent to the Bank of Seward there was found gold which when weighed up
amounted to $80 in lawful coin."
Soon after the death of Charles E Brown in 1929, H S Balderston bought control of the Bank of
Seward. In 1946 he sold it to Elwyn Swetman, a local druggist. Mr. Swetman died in 1950 and
his widow , Viola, sold the bank to the First National Bank of Anchorage in 1951.
On February 13, 1952, the bank started operation as the Seward Branch of the First National Bank
of Anchorage.
The bank building came through the 1964 Alaska Earthquake without any structural damage.
THE CHECK COELECTOR is a quarterly publication of the ASCC.
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Number 28
THE CHECK COLLECTOR
November 1993
In 1972, the bank had the dubious honor of being the site of Alaska's largest bank robbery. Three
robbers made off with $150,000, but within the week they were captured and the money
recovered
In 1975, the First National Bank of Anchorage decided to have the Seward Branch building torn
down, in order to build a larger building. At that time the Seward bank building was the oldest
operating bank building in Alaska. Many people in Seward protested the destruction of this
Seward landmark, as did the Alaska Historical Commission, but to no avail. An apartment
building next to the bank was torn down and that area plus part of a parking lot were used to build
the new bank, the old bank was then torn down and the site planted with grass and trees.
It is ironic that the Bank of Seward's two competitors are still standing. The Brown and Hawkins
Company store which contained the banking department is still in operation and you can still see
the old bank vault. After the Harriman Bank closed, the building was first used as the town high
school and later for offices. Today it serves as an annex to Seward's City Hall. Its bank vault can
also still be seen.
A Nice Conversation Piece
"A nice conversation piece" is what member Bob Patetta called this interesting draft he sent in,
since he had never seen another quite like it.
The security legend at top center of the face of the draft explains how the system is activiated As
Bob states: "It all depends on where you sign the check and where you place the payee's name"
The draft was printed by A Hoen & Co., Richmond, Virginia.
k
STTYMAMT M WOOOWARO
NOTL— The amount written below must in no case exceed the
AMOUNT OBTAINEO IT AOOINS THE FI0URE8 IN THE SQUARE IN WHIOH THE
RMT LETTER OF THE SIGNATURE IS WRITTEN TO THE FIGURES IN THE
SQUARE IN WHIOH THE FIRST LETTER OF THE fATEE 8 NAME IS WRITTEN.
jwmfflspi tfti.
rfj^USE WITH 4500000 FEET CAPACITY
09H£SlQ&
THE CHECK COLLECTOR is a quarterly publication of the ASCC
21
Number 28
THE CHECK COLLECTOR
November 1993
( - \
HOW COULD THIS BE?
by Herman L. Boraker
_ _ _
The preprinted, universal eheck illustrated below is dated at Rock) Ford, Colo., Sept. 12, 1969
and drawn on The Empire State Bank, routing No. 82-475/1021, payable to Nation's Business
and signed by Ray C Ratliff.
So far, everythink is in order , but notice the rubber stamped date, Jun. 20, 1969, across the right
end of the check... almost three months prior to that of the check.
Now consider the following endorsements:
1 The Nation's Business, Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America, Sep. 11,
1969... one day prior to the date of the check.
2. Riggs National Bank, Washington, DC, Sept 19, 1969.
3. Federal Reserve Bank, Denver, Colo., Sept. 20, 1969.
4 Bank's 'paid perforation' shows.. ."PAID, 9-22-69, 82-475".
What puzzles me is how could this universal check bear the rubber stamped date of Jun. 20, 1969
and the check be dated Sept 12th when Mr Ray G. Ratliff died Sept. 9, 1969?
I have a theory , but I'll leave it up to those more knowledgeable to give us the correct answer.
THE CHECK COLLECTOR is a quarterly publication of the AS( X'
Number 28
THE CHECK COLLECTOR
November 1993
MORE ABOUT SHOWS
An Opinion by John O' Hare
In early September, I attended the East Coast Expo in Parsippany, New Jersey. Several things
bothered me at this show. The location did not suit the size of the show. They even wanted to
charge us (ASCC) for a meeting room, unless we would guarantee a certain number of attendees.
However, there is potential for a good show in a larger hall in the future.
I met several new collectors as well as some of our past and present members. Two notable
persons were Neil Shafer and John Kraljevich, Jr. Neil, as we all know is a prolific author, who
writes a column in the "Bank Note Reporter" . He acquired the first three items illustrated in his
November column from me. John is a junior collector, 15 years old, and "into" checks. He
exhibited some of his collections at the ANA in Baltimore and took four First Place awards as
follows: l J.S. Coins - A Comparison of the Different Editions of Sheldon's Work on Large
Cents", Medal and Tokens - "The Libertas Americana Medal", Medieval and Ancient
Numismatics - " A Byzantine Overstrike of Constantine X", and most important to us, U.S.
and Foreign Paper Money - "Anti-Alteration Devices on Checks". John was a member of
ASCC when he was 1 1 years old, but he dropped out because he felt we should have a junior
membership.
The November National and World Paper Money Convention in St. Louis was a good, well run
show with meetings, and an excellent auction by Lyn Knight. I felt that retail sales were a little
slow compared to Memphis, but I was able to make several good buys.
Over the Thanksgiving weekend, I attended a local show in Cheektowaga, a suburb of Buffalo.
This show was notable in that I met several new collectors of paper items. One of these, Phil
Hasselback, is a teacher of history and economics in a private high school I have agreed to show
some early checks and talk to his group and/or his classes. I believe that the future of numismatic
hobbies of all sorts lies with interested juniors, such as John Kraljevich and the members of the
Nardin Academy Numismatic Club Anything we can do to encourage their interest will add to our
long term viability.
Upcoming shows of importance to us:
FUN in the Sun. Orlando, Florida - January 6 to 9, 1994.
• ASCC will have a meeting on Friday, January 7, at 10:00 a m. in Room 9A of the Orange
County Convention Center.
• Currency Auctions of America will hold a paper money auction on Fridya and Saturday
evenings at the Clarion Plaza Hotel (next door to the Convention Center).
• The General Numismatic Auction will be by Bowers &Mercna.
Strasburg 7th Annual Stock and Bond Show. Strasburg, Pennsylvania - January
20 to 23, 1994.
• Stocks, bonds and paper Auction by R M. Smythc
Mansfield N umismatic Society, 21st Annual Coin & Paper Money Show.
Williamantic, Connecticut. March 6, 1994.
23
THE CHECK COLEECTOR is a quarterly publication of the ASCC
Number 2K
THE CHECK COLLECTOR
November 1993
AROUND OUR HOBBY
_ _ _
American Bank Note Commemoratives, Inc has issued a souvenir card featuring an extremely rare
bank draft produced circa 1860 by ABNC for Connecticut's Shctuckct Bank The handsome
engraved draft features a very scarce vignette of Santa Claus in a sled pulled by reindeer. This
particular vignette is not known to have been used on any obsolete currency. The draft also
features a seated allegorical figure and a very tiny vignette of a riverboat. ABN also included as an
added bonus at the card's bottom, a well-known vignette of an elfin-like Santa. The engraved card
is created from original plates in the ABN archives. For further details, sec the ABN ad in this
issue.
The ASCC and The Check Collector were mentioned in the "Stamps" column of the October 3rd
(Sunday) issue of the New York Times. As a result. President Edward Lipson received over sixty
inquiries and requests for information It certianly proves that there arc a great many people out
there interested in checks.
Those of our members who are also members of ANA were surprised to see a feature article on
"Collecting Antique Checks" in the "First Strike" section of " The Numismatist" . The free-lance
author certainly appeared attracted to checks and check collecting, but his advice to start a check
collecting club (he obviously has not heard of ASCC and ANA has overlooked our long member
club ties) and the instructions on caring for old checks will probably make our members cringe.
This article is proof that check collecting is one of the better kept secrets in collectibles.
There will be a Check Collector Round Table meeting at 10:00 a m. on Friday, January 7, 1994, at
the F U N. Convention in Orlando. The meeting will take place at the Orange County Convention
Hall If you plan to attend FUN, be sure to attend our meeting
Checks will be very evident at the Stamporee Stamp Expo '94 to be held May 13-15, 1994 at the
Jupiter Beach Resort, 5 North A1 A, Jupiter, Florida An APS World Series of Champions Exhibit
that includes checks, dealers with checks and a Check Collector Round Talble meeting will make
this event top priority for check collectors. Further details in the next issue.
Articles from The Check Collector are being reprinted that should give us welcome publicity.
"Counterfoil" , the journal of the British Cheque Collectors Society carried Herman Boraker's
article on the "Australian Banking Museum" and Bob Spence's "Guide - Chapter 8 on Collecting
British Cheques". The article "Unusual Checks for Unusual Times" is being reprinted in the
Inflation Study Group Bulletin
A current priced catalog of checks, drafts, notes and receipts for collectors from Gene F. Mack ol
Jacksonville, Florida, has over 2000 listed items! This appears to be a new record.
THE CHECK COLLECTOR is a quarterly publication of the ASCC.
24
Number 28
THE CHECK COLLECTOR
November 1993
, -Apioum
Amount of pounds m words
\ DEMONSTRATION CHEQUE
CHECKPOINT
CHECKPOINT SECURITY SERVICES LIMITED
00-00-00
CHATHAM STREET, READING RG1 7JX
TELEPHONE 0734 268252
||,000000ll, OO'OOOOi: OOOOOOOOh*
TO SHOW MICH NUMBERING SEQUENCE ONLV
Above is the latest in design of high security cheques incorporating a number of security devices
and just introduced into Great Britain by Checkpoint Security Services. A sample of this specimen
cheque was enclosed with "Counterfoil", the journal of The British Cheque Collectors Society.
A hologram, (the square in the upper left comer) and ultra-violet features are only two of several
security devices incorporated into this very attractive cheque. The engine-turned, background area
is very attractive and equal to the best in currency design. The hologram glows vividly under a
desk lamp displaying a variety of changing and eye-catching patterns. It appears that this hologram
will be a fitting successor to the RN imprints and attractive vignettes of earlier American checks
and give collectors a new feature to collect.
A FINDING IN THE CURRENT MARKET:
* cuiwr st&ms Mimwc?
to
/ S c A"
//?/ /
Si I )> t .
THE CHECK COLLECTOR is a quarterly publication of the ASCC
25
Number 28
THE CHECK COLLECTOR
November 1993
A.S.C.C. CHECK POOL UPDATE
by Harry R. Johnson . Sr.
The ASCC Check Pool is still very, very much in need of donations of checks from most of the
states in order that current requests for check packets can be accomodated without excessive
duplication of checks. We truly need checks from all those other states to make our packets
interesting.
It seems the same few loyal members who really care about the ASCC Check Pool keep finding
and sending some checks to us. For the rest of our members, please note that every collector w ho
joins us because of the Check Pool gives us all someone else with which to trade, write, or support
our Society.
How about a donation of some of your old personal checks that may be stored away waiting until
you get time to dispose of them? Or possibly you have a number of duplicates that w ill not be used
by you because of their number It's the Holiday Season! Give a beginner a boost!
Since our last update, donations of checks have been received from.
Herman L Boraker 27,000 Colorado checks.
P C. Me Michen Several thousand checks of City NB of Miami, FL
and of others.
Oregon Paper Money Exchange 200 miscellaneous checks.
Donald T. Thrall Several hundred miscellaneous checks.
Some notes for those requesting our free packets:
1 All packets of 100 checks are made up from stock that is at hand with as few duplicates as
possible, so your order may take a few days or longer to fill. Please be patient.
2. At this time, due to stock limitations, we can only supply one packet of 100 checks per
member.
3. A $2.00 fee is needed to partially cover the postage, handling and other expenses for each
packet.
4 We are unable to fill requests for special or specific checks to be included in a packet.
At this time, all back orders have been filled. We are sorry if some duplicate checks were
included, but we did the best with the stock at hand
Please remember the ASCC Check Pool Send any donations of checks or requests for packets to:
Harr) R Johnson, Sr., 4279 Garand Lane, West Palm Beach, FL 33406-2945.
TUI. CHECK COLLECTOR is a quarterly publication of the ASCC 2
26
Number 28
THE CHECK COLLECTOR
November 1993
( A.S.C.C. SECRETARY'S REPORT )
As noted elsewhere in this issue dues notices for 1994 are bein$ nailed to all neabers whose member sh i p expires with this
issue of The Che& Collector. Prompt renews 1 will insure continued receipt of the publication.
This report includes changes received through November 27, 1993. The current membership is 392.
NEW MEMBERS
1452 AMARO, CARLOS A. (C/D) 537 N. Livingston Arlington VA 22203
(by Bob Spence)
1466 AHDUR, MARTIN B. 17 Willow Lane Scarsdale NY 10583
(from article in The New York Times)
1462 APELMAN, J. S. (C/D) PO Box 283 Covington LA 70434
(by M. S. Kazan j ian)
1460 ASHBY, STEVE PO Box 665 Draper UT 84020
(by H.J.I. Oaugherty)
1465 BAMBARA, S. B. 6000 Woodknol I Ct Raleigh NC 27606
(by Gene F. Mack)
1456 CHURCHILL, PAUL G. 2118 Carroll Dale Rd Eldersburg MD 21784
(by Larry Adams)
1461 EDELSON, STEVEN L. 8706 Colonial Rd Brooklyn NY 11209-4904
1463 GODFREY, ALAN R. 35, Ardbeg Rd Dulwich, London SE24 9JL
United Kingdom (British Cheque Collectors Society)
1459 ISHAH, HAROLD K. SR (C/D) 19 Barnacle Rd Yarmouth Port MA
02675 (by H.J.I. Daugherty)
1454 KRAUS, JOANNE 9621 Royalton Dr Beverly Hills CA 90210
(from The American Revenuer)
1472 LAMING, MORRIS PO Box 9494 Charlotte NC 28299
(by Gene F. Mack)
1458 LINN, KENNIE M. 755 N. Saginaw St Owosso Ml 48867
(from The American Revenuer)
1457 LORD, PHILIP MICHAEL 14, Garsdale Rd. Newsome Huddersfield
HD4 6QZ United Kingdom (British Cheque Col lectors Society)
1470 MARKEY, JOSEPH L. 3508 I. Mandalay Ln Phoenix AZ 85023
(from The American Revenuer)
1469 HORTON, ROBERT D. 349 Timrod Rd Manchester CT 06040
(from article in The New York Times)
1471 NUNES, JOHN J. 80 Fredericks Rd Scotia NY 12302
(by Ed Lipson)
1467 SHARP WILLIAM F. (C/D) 1113 Ollerton Rd lest Deptford NJ
08066 (from article in The New York Times)
1464 SMITH, KIMBERLY 909 Hall Av Fayetteville AR 72701
(from article in The New York Times)
1455 SUK. CHARLES J. 19 John St Rockaway NJ 07866
(by John O'Hare)
1453 WILSON, DENIS E. SR 379 Johnson Av Gloversville NY 12078
1468 ZIEGMAN, WILLIAM M. 150 Clement Av Akron OH 44319
(by Lee Polekse)
REINSTATED
0148 COHASCO, INC. (D) Postal 821 Yonkers NY 10702
0868 HORIEDEL, LOIELL C (C/0) PO Box 2395 Lafayette IN 47906
1404 MCKNIGHT, MURRAY 68 King St. E. , Apt. 204 Bowmanville ON L1C
3X2 Canada
1, 2 (MA), 3-4, 7 (Portugal), 20-21, 30
4, 23-24, 30-31
4, 12 (National Currency Bank Directories),
23
1, 2 (lestern), 3-4, 6, 20-24, 26, 30-31
1, 4, 12 (beehives, bees, insects and
related), 20, 30
5, 21
1, <-5, 9, 21
20, 22, 30
7 (British)
1, 2 (Southern)
7 (India)
5, 20, 23
1-2, 14, 31
4, 20, 24-25
2 (pre-1900), 31
20, 31
1, 2 (Gloversville and Johnstown; Fulton
and Herkimer Counties, NY). 4, 8, 30)
1, 2 (Holmes 4 layne Co., OH), 12
(foundries, mills), 20, 31
1, 21, 23, 30
2 (CA), 23, 26
1, 5-8, 12 (old greeting cards, early
advertising, old postcards), 20, 22,
30-31
ADDRESS CHANGES
0089 NIELSEN, C. M. PO Box 21005 Salt Lake City UT 84121
CURRENT ADDRESS NEEDED - please notify the Secretary if you know the current address of the following member:
0463 SCHNEIDER, DAVID former address: PO BOX 17304 Memphis, TN 37117
THE CHECK COU. ECTOR is a quarterly publication of the AS CC
27
Number 28
THE CHECK COLLECTOR
November 1993
AREAS OF COLLECTING INTEREST
1 - Checks - General
2 - Checks (regions or states of special interest)
3 - U.S. Government Checks
A - Hi see I laneous Fiscals (Bank Drafts, 8i!ls of
Exchange, Certificates of Deposit, Promissory
Notes, Receipts, larrants)
5 - Checks - Great Br it i an
6 - Checks - Canada
1 - Checks - lorld (regions or countries of special
interest)
8 - Travellers Cheques or Honey Orders
9 - Specimen Checks
10 - Ration Checks
11 - Refund/Rebate Checks
12 - Other (specify)
14 - Counter and Modern Checks
20 - Vignettes
21 - Autographs
22 - Railroads, Steamboats, Mining
23 - Banking History
24 - Security Printing and Printers
25 - Check Protectors and Cancel Devices
26 - Hells Fargo History
30 - Stocks and Bonds
31 - Revenue Stamped Documents
32 - Emergency Script
(C/D) - Collector/Dealer; (D) - Collector
CALL FOR
NOMINATIONS
DUES NOTICES
Nominations for the Board of Drectors of the American Society of Check
Collectors, Inc, will be received by the Secretary from members of the
Society until February 1, 1994. Each nominee far Drectar must indicate
an acceptance of the nomination and willingness to serve if elected. Mail
nominations to:
Dues notices are being mailed to members whose membership expres with this issue.
Annual dues are $10 ($15 members outside the U.S., Canada and Mexico.) Two-year
renewals are not being offered this year because of the uncertainty of future postage
rates and printing costs. Please send your renewals promptly to the Secretary.
Coleman Leifer, Secretary
PO Box 577
Garrett Park, MD 20896
THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CHECK COLLECTORS, INC.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Cash on hand (11/01/92) 4515.23
Revenue:
Dues and Ads 4369.00
Interest 0.00
Expenses 5394.65
Balance (11/01/93) 3119.58
Respectfully Submitted,
Michael A. Zier
Treasurer, ASCC
THE CHECK COLLECTOR is a quarterly publication of the ASCC.
28
Number 28
THE CHECK COLLECTOR
November 1993
ACROSS OUR DESK
Price lists, fixed price and mail bid catalogs, journals, etc., received and compiled as a resource for our members. Items with
an (S) may require a subscription. Please write first to the company.
Books and References
• " A Catalogue of Nevada Checks. 1860-1933 11 by Douglas McDonald Lists thousands of checks,
drafts, warrants and other fiscal documents. All pieces are priced and rated as to rarity. Many arc illus¬
trated. Ordering details from: Castenholz and Sons, 1055 Hartzell Sreet, Pacific Palisades, Ca 90272.
• " Owning Western History, a guide to collecting rare documents, historical letters and valuable auto¬
graphs form the Old West" by Warren R. Anderson. Illustrated by over 75 photographs of many types
of documents. Ordering details from: Mountain Press Publishing Company, PO box 2399, Missoula,
MT 59806.
• "Interesting Notes About Territories ", by Roger H. Durand. A reference for collectors with information
about Indian Territory, Jefferson Territory , Northwest Territory and Orleans Territory. Information
about the westward expansion from the original thirteen states. Ordering details from: Roger H. Du¬
rand, P.O. Box 186, Rehoboth, MA 02769.
• "Territorial Florida Banks & Ronds 1821-1845". A new reference for collectors of Florida Territorial
items and those interested in early banking history. Ordering details from: Carling's of Florida, PO
Drawer 580, Pomona Park, FL 32181-0580.
Price Lists, Catalogs, Mail Sales, Etc.
(S) Monthly price lists of checks, bank tokens, postcards and related items. Lee Poleske, Box 871,
Seward, AK 99664.
• Extensive price list of checks, drafts, promissory notes, etc. arranged by states and locations. M S
Kazanjian, 25 King Philip Ave., Barrington, RI 02806.
(S) List of checks, stocks and bonds, historical documents. Yesterday's Paper, PO Box 819, Concrete,
WA. 98237.
(S) Regular catalog of CSA and obsolete bank notes, scrip, bonds and financial documents. Hugh Shull,
PO Box 712, Leesville, SC 29070.
• Price list of archival albums and mylar holders for checks, bank notes and scrip, currency, etc. Also,
an extensive list of checks, drafts, warrants, stocks and bonds. Oregon Paper Money Exchange, 6802
S.W. 33rd Place, Portland, OR 97219.
(S) Catalog of regular mail bid auctions of revenue stamps, checks, documents, stock certificates and
related items. H.J.W. Daugherty, PO Box 1146, Eastham, MA 02642.
(S) Catalog of over 2000 checks, drafts, notes and receipts for collectors arranged by states. Gene F.
Mack, P.O Box 60991, Jacksonville, FL 32236.
• Stock certificates for collectors. Advise of your collecting interests for current list. American Vignettes,
PO Box 155-CC, Roselle Park, NJ 07204.
(S) Regular list containing a variety of historical documents, including checks, autographs, manuscripts,
embossed revenues, etc. Edward J. Craig, 41 Third Street, Newport, RI 02840.
• Net price list of Revenue Stamped Paper 1993. Includes about 700 checks, drafts, receipts and ccrtili-
cates. Michael E. Aldrich, PO Box 130484, St. Paul, MN 551 13.
(S) Catalog of Mail Bid Sale of checks, drafts, and misc. fiscal paper, stocks and bonds. Also, a fixed
price list of reference bcx>ks. Gypsyfoot Enterprises, PO Box 350093, Grantsdale, MT 59835.
• Souvenir cards, copies of items of ABNCo archives of interest to collectors. American Bank Note
Commcmoratives, 7 High Street, Suite 12, Huntington, NY 1 1743.
• Price list of RN-bcaring checks, drafts, etc., available to collectors. A J. DcVinccnt, 1463 Blue Bell
Road, Blue Bell, PA 19422.
(S) Mail bid auction list featuring checks, stocks and bonds, obsoletes, receipts, ephemera and paper
Americana James J Reeves, Box 219, Huntingdon, PA 16652-0219.
Periodic list of fiscal paper, including checks, drafts, notes, etc. Gary Ronk, 6247 Cove Rd.,
Roanoke, VA 24019.
(S) Price list of British and some overseas cheques. Collector's Gallery, 6 & 7 Castle Gates, Shrewsbury
SY1 2AE, United Kingdom
29
THE CHECK COLLECTOR is a <|ii;irtcrly publication of the ASCC
Number 28
THE CHECK COLLECTOR
November 1993
H.J.W. Daugherty
PHILATELIC AUCTIONS
P.0. Box 1146
Eastham, Mass., 02642
WRITE FOR OUR NEXT CATALOG
CHECKS ARE ALWAYS INCLUDED
Historical Documents & Papers.
Early American Industries, Crafts,
Occupations, Skills, Livelyhoods.
Advertising, Victoriana, Antique
"Smalls,* Colonial, Financial.
YESTERDAY'S PAPER
P.O.Box 819
Concrete, Washington 98237
(20<5)-853-8228
N,oC,r"
ROBERT F. KLUCE
R
-t»i. mo —
ANTIQUE STOCKS
AND BONDS (or collectors,
dealers, decorators, musoums Railroads,
mining, petroleum, other topicals Advise ot
your collecting interests lor current list(s).
Also buy
P.O. BOX 155-CC • ROSELLE PARK, NJ 07204 • 908-241-i209
"OWNING WESTERN HISTORY"
New and important reference book to valuable documents, letters,
autographs Of the Old West. Over 75 photographs.
$18 soft cover • $28 hard cover
. (postage Included) .
ILLUSTRATED SALES AND AUCTION CATALOGSl
Historical documents, checks, letters, autographs, maps, books,
prints, photos of the Old West.
Five catalogs $15 ~ Current issue $3
Quality consignments accepted -- please inquire
AMERICA WEST ARCHIVES
llox 100-CC, Cedar Citv, UT 84721
Established 1967
Catalogues Issued
STEPHEN KOSCHAL
Quality Autographs, Signed Books
Bought, Sold. Appraisal Specialist.
P.O .B .1581
BOYNTON BEACH
(407) 736 -8409 FL. 33425 -1581
SEND A 45$ SASE FOR MY LATEST LIST
M.S. Kazanjian
ASCC SPMC CCRI IBNS
BANK CHECKS &
FISCAL PAPER-
RN’S S. VIGNETTES
25 King Philip Ave
Barrington, Rl 02306
(401) 245-3499
JOHN F. KENNEDY
RFK , TED, KENNEDY FAMILY AND
RELATED . WANTED. .
Checks, Paper, Rare, Unusual
B. BRIDGES
827 Meridian Street
Nashville, TN 37207
615-226-1122
615-227-1268 FACS
WANTED
COCA-COLA CHECKS & RECEIPTS
ALSO ANY COCA-COLA EPHEMERA
WILL BUY OR TRADE
JOE BELLIVEAU
PO BOX 462
ELLINGTON, CT 06029
(203) 875-1692
I - 1
I NEED A SPECIAL CHECK?
I
TO BUY
I
ADVERTISE HERE j
TO SEEK TO SELL I
J
YOUR AD HERE WILL BE
SEEN BY HUNDREDS OF
CHECK COLLECTORS
30
THE CHECK COLLECTOR is a quarterly publication of the ASCC
Xu m her 28
THE CHECK COLLECTOR
November 1993
American Bank Note Company
Santa Claus
Shetucket Bank Draft
| ( #>IicfTirhct ttynls )
i /
/// y // //// / /'/ / t y '
^ / / ///// !
y> //// / r/.l//f / 1////1
f y///////r / ''//'/
( //'// y /'//■• )£*_,
Produced circa 1860, this rare draft has been
faithfully reproduced In souvenir card format
from the original plate In the ABN archives.
Only 2000 printed. Order today!
Price: $9.50, postpaid (NY residents add tax)
Make checks payable to Paul U. Schmid, Inc.
VISA/Mastercard
1-800-533-ABNC
American Bank Note C o m m e m o r a t 1 v e s
7 High St., Suite 412
Huntington, NY 11743
Shown, RN-E5
A LIST OF HIGH QUALITY, RN BEARING
CHECKS, DRAFTS, ETC., IS AVAILABLE
TO INTERESTED COLLECTORS.
Write :
Anthony J.
1 4S3 Blue
Blue Bell,
DeVincent
Bell Road
PA 19422
[Sincere thanks For the tremendous
response to my last ad] .
S.S.Ct , - 0^0 , , |
/ I. lulls r//Jr. Kv^syu’0 y i-//- l/S~
^/tcr9 f //v~ f/ /-C. ■ ///// /r
^l/CtiUy Ps’-tyL - - - y ////Hi
1‘ — — — — - - - - — »«— ■ ~ ' _ -j. „
A ★ (Buying & Sdting & A
Checks • Drafts • Receipts
And Related fiscal Paper!
My 56 Page Catalog is Packed With
Over 2000 Items for four Collection.
Probably the Largest
Listing of Checks Dverll
Send $2.00 for Same Day Mailing.
Qene f. Mack.
P.O. Pox. 60991
Jacksonville , fL 32236
31
THE CHECK COE! ECTOR is a quarterly publication of the AS < V
November 1993
The Check Collector
Number 28
Wanted
•Checks, drafts or bills of
exchange which are
endorsed or signed
with an "X"
•Checks, drafts or bills of
exchange which
have a vignette of a
horse sleigh
Lee E. Poleske
Box 871
Seward Alaska 99664
Oregon Pioneer Check Sleeves
3 MIL MYLAR, TWO SIZES:
— 3V2"
x 8V2" —
— 4*/»" x
9 Vs" —
100 pcs.
‘2200 ppd
100 pcs.
J24°° ppd
250 pcs.
*4975 ppd
250 pcs.
‘557S ppd
500 pcs.
J9400 ppd
500 pcs.
1 105°° ppd
1000 pcs.
*17900ppd
1000 pcs.
*200°° ppd
POSTAL COVER SLEEVES, 4 Vs" x 71/."
Same Pricing as 3V2" x 8V2" above.
USE THEM FOR WORLD PAPER MONEY AND
MEDIUM SIZE STEREO VIEWS, TOO!
Oregon Pioneer Postcard Sleeves
3 MIL MYLAR, 35/s" x 53A"
100 pcs.
* 1800 ppd
500 pcs.
s7400 ppd
250 pcs.
*397S ppd
1000 pcs.
n4250ppd
Custom Sizes Available in Quantity
Protect Your Collection with Archival Mylar
Order Yours Today!
OREGON PAPER MONEY EXCHANGE
6802 S.W. 33rd Place • Portland, OR 97219
(503) 245-3659
/'
f
upport for the hobby from
1 ISMATICNEWS
FREE COIN
LISTINGS:
CONSIGNMENTS WANTED
GET HIGHEST PRICES FOR YOUR
CHECKS. REVENUES
BETTER SINGLES, AUTOGRAPHS
DOCUMENTS, DEALER GROUP LOTS
Call Toll-Free 800-622-1880
In New York (212) 943-1880
Only NUMISMATIC NEWS provides free weekly listings
of coin shows, because we know how important shows
are to the hobby. Ours is the largest and most thorough
listing of shows anywhere!
That’s not all! Twice a year our free
Show & Auction Guide delivers
valuable long-range planning
information, up to a year in
advance, in a handy pullout format.
Be sure you don’t miss a single
issue.
86 issues for only $9.95
Call toll-free 1-800-858 0989
R.MSMYTHE
i>'iAUi.isni:n
26 BROADWAY, NEW YORK, NY 10004
numismatic ||CWS
FEARKTJG Com* MAJWIT ■ WW V
700 E. State St., lola, Wl 54990-0001
THE CHECK COLLECTOR is a quarterly publication of the ASCC.
32
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